The luxury travel sector has boomed over the past decade. More and more, the global elite and super-rich have become more interested in collecting experiences over material objects, and nowadays, they’re more likely to covet a bespoke adventure holiday in some far-flung exotic location over another supercar or diamond-studded watch. Furthermore, for the person who already has everything, the call of the wider world and its most luxurious offerings is impossible to resist.

 

As a result, luxury tourism has proven to be extremely recession-proof, and where there’s a demand, there is always going to be a flood of companies rushing to supply every desire and whim. However, as with any fashion or trend, the world of luxury travel evolves almost constantly.

 

Every year, there is some new hot destination, or a new type or mode of travelling which rises to become the creme de la creme of the jetsetting world. 2017 brought plenty of new and exciting surprises, and 2018 is set to do just the same. Let’s dive right in, and take a closer look at what the hottest luxury tourism trends of this year are likely to be.

 

Hands-on, Bespoke Travel

Not so much of a new trend, but a continually rising obsession in the high-end tourism industry, 2018 is set to be the year of the bespoke travel experience. Top hotels and resorts are scrambling for ways of giving their super-rich guests more choice than ever before, and are set to replicate what was previously only associated with the rare 7 star hotels of the world.

This ongoing trend will see guests being able to select everything from the ambience of their rooms to the type of toilet paper provided, and from menus to spa treatments and everything in between. Everything is to be made to order, and carefully selected to meet the minutiae of the traveller’s preferences.

 The Tailor 

FBI Travel -Luxury Travel website’s Best Luxury Travel Agency for both 2016 & 2017

Mary Rossil Travel –  Neutral Bay and Lindfield, Sydney

 

Esoteric Luxury

2018 is set to be the year that spirituality collides with splendour. New age beliefs, esoteric practices and all manner of mindful activities have long since become the realm of the elite, with personal yoga trainers, breathing classes and mantras having become luxurious in themselves. As a result, this has led to a massive rise in interest in luxury ashram retreats, temple visits, mindfulness holiday making and all kinds of things which were once the reserve of fringe groups and religious minorities.

Spa treatments which promise enlightenment alongside relaxation are selling like hotcakes worldwide, and this is only going to become bigger, bolder and more luxurious in the near future.

 Golden Door Health Retreat and Spa Elysia –  The Hunter Valley, NSW

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat – Tallebudgera Valley, QLD

 

Going Off-Grid

A couple of years ago, the idea of going on any sort of retreat where your smartphone would be confiscated on arrival would have been met with uproar. Today, however, it has become a powerful growing trend, as people seek to free themselves from the tyranny of their devices. Literary holidays, off-grid retreats, nature experiences and similar are set to be huge trends in the coming months, for those who can afford the luxury of truly getting away from it all.

 

Sleep Retreats

Lack of sleep has become something of a huge problem for many people in this fast-paced, modern and stressful society. As a result, a particular type of holiday has arisen; one that focuses itself on helping its guests get the best sleep they’ve ever had. Ambient suites, specially trained ‘sleep butlers’ and a range of spa treatments designed to help you drift off to dreamland will be the new desirable holiday services in the new year.

 

‘Perceptive’ Dining

This particular trend fits nicely with the trend for more bespoke services on holiday for those who can afford such delights. However, several top-end hotels around the world are taking the idea of bespoke dining a step further; they’re planning to offer personalised and ‘perceptive’ dining experiences to guests, based on the diners’ moods and energy levels, as well as their personal preferences. On top of this, the service will be available whenever the guest finds themselves hungry, and this will extend to the wine list, too – guests will be allowed to select their wines from the cellar at will, and drink whenever they wish.